For the Somalia-based Islamist militant group al-Shabab, the 2013 attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, that killed 67 people is being used to inspire new soldiers. Jamal Osman of Independent Television News goes inside a camp where nearly 300 jihadist soldiers have just spent six months on terrorist training. Continue reading →

Learning to read is the essential foundation of elementary education, but it’s also very complex and many students in America are falling behind. John Tulenko of Learning Matters reports on one model school that has re-trained teachers in hands-on skills and strategies and has dramatically improved proficiency scores. Continue reading →

Does open fighting between secular and Islamist factions of the Syrian opposition help the Assad regime? Ray Suarez talks to Greg Miller of The Washington Post and Andrew Tabler of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy about tensions among rebel groups and who is benefiting from arms and training supplied by the U.S. Continue reading →

A study of 600 American schools conducted by the National Council on Teacher Quality finds new teachers are being inadequately prepared to instruct students. But the report’s findings and methodology have come under critique. Jeffrey Brown looks at the study with John Merrow, NewsHour’s special correspondent for education. Continue reading →

During World War II, only 10 percent of trained generals were approved for active duty. Now, journalist Tom Ricks says, "Mediocrity is an accepted core value in the performance of generals." Ray Suarez talks to Ricks about his new book, "The Generals," which examines the history of U.S. military commanders. Continue reading →

“Unless America can address government’s role in a more pragmatic light,” British author Edward Luce writes, “it may doom itself to continued descent. Margaret Warner and Luce discuss his latest book “Time to Start Thinking: America in the Age of Descent,” a sobering examination of the U.S. role in global competitiveness. Continue reading →

One provision of President Obama’s jobs bill that has some bipartisan support is modeled after a program in Georgia that allows employers to try out workers for eight weeks on a volunteer basis while the person receives unemployment benefits and training. Paul Solman explores Georgia Works’ pros and cons, plus its scalability. Continue reading →

U.S. troops are continuing their efforts to build up local security forces in Afghanistan, but so far with mixed results. Margaret Warner talks with GlobalPost reporter Jean MacKenzie, who recently returned from Kabul. Continue reading →

U.S. and Afghan leaders are preparing to arm local militia groups to help curb rising Taliban violence in Afghanistan. The strategy comes from similar successful efforts in Iraq. Dexter Filkins of the New York Times reports on the development. Continue reading →